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A Legacy of Artists The Legacy Place Tenants, Staff Showed Off Artwork

Whether they used wood or pine needles, paint or fabric, staff and tenants at The Legacy Place showed off their artistic abilities in a variety of techniques Friday during an “Art for the Ages” art exhibit open house.

The show consisted of a variety of artwork made by tenants and staff of The Legacy Place, an assisted living facility in Valley City.

The creators of the pieces explained to visitors the stories behind their work.

Evangeline Badger has been into quilt making since 1987, and to stay busy, she continues to quilt and cuts pieces for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Valley City. Badger says she sews the smaller pieces together while church members sew the bigger pieces together.

Ken Dawkins spent time in Florida making everyday items using nothing but pine needles. Some of the pieces he has made are a lamp post, napkin holder, hat and earrings.

“Whatever you decide to make, you make,” Dawkins said, adding that he doesn’t plan his pieces ahead of time.

When Dawkins and his wife Kay retired, they spent winter months living in Florida, where Dawkins says there are an abundance of long pine needles, which he collected for his artwork.

Dawkins started doing pine needlework in the 1980s and continued for 25 years. Kay, who is a resident at the Sheyenne Care Center, makes afgan blankets, which were on display next to Dawkins’ work.

John Sundquist began woodworking when he ran short of work in the winter when he was farming near Finley. He started selling his woodwork but has kept some that are personal to him, including a prestigiously-designed bible holder.

But Sundquist explains “after you’ve made it, it’s all personal.”
Also on display at Sundquist’s table were some old dollar bills that had never been cut after they were removed from the press. He said his sister worked at a bank in Litchville, and that’s how he acquired the bills.

The Legacy Place hosted the art show in honor of National Assisted Living Week, which began on Grandparent’s Day, Sept. 9, and continues until Saturday.

National Assisted Living Week, which is sponsored by the National Center for Assisted Living, describes this year’s theme, “Art for the Ages,” as a “celebration of the talents and creativity assisted living residents have developed through hard work and their love of art,” according to their website.